Star Wars Episodes I

Star Wars is more than just a series of movies. It is a cultural phenomenon. All six episodes of the dual trilogy have grossed more than $300 million in the United States alone (Episode III is at $330 million and counting as I write this). Throw in worldwide box office sales and merchandising and you've got a multi-billion dollar industry. I grew up on the original Star Wars movies (Episodes IV - VI). At one point I probably could have recited them word for word - I guess I had far too much free time as a youth. The movies are action-packed, adventuresome, and full of ground-breaking special effects. So what's not to like? Why are we reviewing these movies on an apologetics website? Well...

The "galaxy far, far away" is full of evolutionary concepts. I realize the films are fictional and fantasy but nonetheless, the idea of hundreds or thousands of different races of intelligent beings inhabiting thousands of planets come straight from evolutionary ideas. After all, if life could have evolved here (which it could not) then it could have and would have evolved anywhere and everywhere. This is the thinking of men like the late Carl Sagan who was a key figure in the development of SETI (the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence). While the Bible does not specifically state in any one verse that there is no other intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, it does tell us that earth is the focal point of God's redemptive plan. God made the earth (day one) before He made the other worlds (day four). Jesus Christ became a man (on earth) to die once for our sins. If God made other intelligent beings with free wills, then it is very likely they would have rebelled as well. Since Christ died once (for man), it would be impossible for these other beings to be redeemed.

The entire series revolves around a mystical energy known as the "force." The man behind the movies, George Lucas admits to borrowing ideas from various world religions. In 1980, viewers were introduced to Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. In this film we are told by Yoda that the force is in everything and everyone. It has a dualistic nature: the good side and the dark side. These two sides are equal in power. These ideas come straight out of the Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Taoism.

Even as early as 1977 with the release Episode IV: A New Hope, viewers were introduced to some anti-Christian teachings. Besides the "force," the hero of the film, Luke Skywalker, repeatedly hears the voice of his deceased mentor Obi-wan Kenobi. This is clearly a violation of the biblical warnings against any communication with the dead (Lev. 19: 31; Deut. 18: 10 - 11; 1 Sam. 28: 3 - 25).[1] Throughout the film Luke is also told to "let go [of] your conscious self," "you must do what you feel is right," and to "trust your feelings." This is not only bad advice for any Christian, it is unbiblical. God has given us a mind and five senses to utilize in our decision making. The Bible also states, "the heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Should we leave our decision making to our emotions which so often deceive us or should we base our decisions on the revealed will of the One who knows everything and is perfect?

Episodes V and VI contain scenes in which Luke Skywalker talks with his deceased mentor. In one particular scene from Episode VI, Luke asks why Obi-wan had lied to him about his father. Obi-wan essentially says that he didn't lie because what he said was true "from a certain point of view." He goes on to say, "Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point-of-view." This relativistic view of truth just does not hold up. Does the truthfulness of Obi-wan's statement depend on one's point of view? If so, then my point-of-view is that it is wrong. If not, then Obi-wan is making an absolute truth claim, which is exactly what he is arguing against. Besides that, the Bible makes truth claims that are absolute. For example, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14: 6). This does not in any way depend on our point of view. It is either true or it is false. There is no middle ground and it cannot be true for some and false for others. It just does not work that way.

As if these teachings were not bad enough, George Lucas went even further in the "Prequels," Episodes I - III. Perhaps the most blasphemous concept of the entire series is revealed in Episode I. Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn asks Shmi Skywalker (Luke's grandmother) who the father of Anakin Skywalker was. She responds, "There was no father." For those who may be unfamiliar with the story, Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, the villain of Episodes IV - VI. So not only does Lucas steal the idea of a virgin birth[2] from the Bible, he turns this child into evil incarnate. How can any Christian view this as anything but blasphemy?

Finally, in Episode III, Yoda makes several statements that are rife with New Age teachings. [I have seen this movie but did not take notes. Since it is still in the theater I do not have access to direct quotes so I will paraphrase] Near the end of the film, Yoda tells Obi-wan that an old friend (Qui-Gon Jinn) has returned from the nether world of the force. Yoda says that he will teach Obi-wan how to "commune" with his deceased mentor [note Lucas' choice of words, "commune"].

So what is a Christian to do with this information? Should we call for a worldwide boycott of all things Star Wars? Should we condemn all who have seen it? Should we just ignore everything mentioned above and encourage everyone to rush out and see it? Should we try to find parallels to Christianity in the films and then tell everyone that they are Christian films? I'm not in favor of any of these solutions. I do not believe legalism is the answer nor do I think we have the license to do whatever we want to. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians (who were infamous for their hedonistic lifestyles), "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify" (1 Cor. 10: 23; cf. 6: 12). A Christian has the freedom to view films such as Star Wars but he should keep in mind that they are not edifying. One rule of thumb that I try to go by (but often break) is that I can watch a particular movie (or listen to a certain song, etc.) if I would be willing to do it with Jesus sitting next to me. Christians, as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6: 18) should be careful what they allow into their lives.

So is there anything of value in these highly popular films? Besides the special effects and entertainment, there are a few things that may be of use to the Christian. Episodes I - III trace the journey of Anakin Skywalker from a young boy until he turns to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader. His descent into complete rebellion is vividly portrayed, especially in the third film. Even though he may have had good intentions (saving his wife's life), Anakin crossed the line and became blinded by his ego, pride, and power to the point that he was willing to murder scores of "younglings" (children training to become jedi). As Darth Vader, he was responsible for the deaths of thousands more. While this is not the moral lesson of the story, it is an extremely accurate picture of what sin often does in a person's life.

[1] It is interesting that in this passage Saul visited a medium (one who communicates with the dead) at a place called Endor. This just happens to be the name of the moon in which the final battle is fought between the Empire and the Rebel alliance in Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. This may simply be coincidence so one should not read too much into it.

[2] The movie does not state that Shmi was a virgin so a "virgin birth" may not be the accurate term to use here. However, it certainly says that Anakin was conceived without a father.